MrTom

Thoughts?

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...cial-pictures/

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

looks like any other boring old bmw,doesnt matter what it looks like........people will still think your a stuck up **** and never let you out of junctions

Graz

Bit pricey, but 425bhp / 406 lbft is not to be sniffed at. Not a huge fan of the look of the current 3 series but I guess it could grow on me.

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

Evolution rather then revolution, if it aint broke . .
Porsche do the same with the 911,
It does look different and is wider so certainly not a facelift of the old model.

grey_boy

looks sexy and fearsome!!

'7'

What, only 7 speed? Only 406 lbft? My diesel beats that

Graz

Good point, mine does too

stilover

£56k before any options ticked !!!

Cars are getting too expensive these days.

ScoobyDoo555

Don't like the front tbh, but no doubt, it will be a capable piece of kit.

Matteeboy

A huge jump in torque and 4.1s to 60 is properly quick.
However my £56k would probably go on a lightly used 911 (one that doesn't break down). It would be an R8 but I need some sort of back seats.
Will have to test one if possible at some stage!

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Think it will make some good power once remapped

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

I like it for a 4dr saloon, now I just wish they'd make a touring version instead of just the m5

thenewgalaxy

£56k new is too expensive.

£30k secondhand and run in by a sensible owner makes it a far more appealing purchase.

But what will you be able to pick up an E92 for after this car has been out six months?

dpb

Have they changed the front slightly from last year's

Dingdongler

I would seriously consider buying one. The only thing really stopping me is the fact that the new C63 AMG may well have 4wd and a more power

Devildog

That's an interesting view from someone who spent how much (?) on an Impreza

thestumper

iTrader: (1)

Yes but people on the street won't try and flag you down in an M3.

Dingdongler

It is without doubt a lot of money but tell me another car you can buy new with 430 BHP, 400 torques, quality engineering and interior for less.

A 991 with similar power once specced lightly will approach £90k. Now I know a 991 is more 'special' than what some may regard as a pimped up 3 series but perhaps you get my point.

SRSport

Have things changed recently? BMW would be my choice of car but their cars of late have been built so poorly that I had been put off.

Matteeboy

Ours has had five trouble free years. Most reliable car we've had by miles.

Dingdongler

My F10 5 series is seriously well put together, quality german engineering at its best. It's boring to drive, poorly resolved suspension, vague steering etc but you can't fault the build quality at all.

tony de wonderful

4wd will make it more boring to drive and heavier. The m3 was 'supposed' to be a purists car with its RWD and nasp engine, of course now they have forced induction to keep up with the power arms race so middle aged guys in the pub can boast , they retain the RWD of course (for now). The 1 series M car is probably more like on old M3 in spirit.

bustaMOVEs

iTrader: (31)

bighead

iTrader: (1)

not really that expensive new ....that is until you spec the car up to your taste !!

mine in dec 2009 costed £64,500 list (I paid £58,500).

Dingdongler

Not at all, but a common response that endless idiots on Pistonheads (and the like) continually copy and paste. Usually those people have never owned and will probably never own these cars (not brand new anyway)

Forced induction has been used to increase mpg and decrease co2 rather than a power arms race. Amg got 500 bhp out of the 63 engine but are still going over to FI for that reason.

4wd does not always mean more boring to drive. Read the reviews of the new e63amg 4wd and you'll see most prefer it to 2wd. Similarly read the reviews of the 991 c4s and it is likewise. Potential weight gain from the 4wd can be offset from weight savings elsewhere.

scoobyboy1

iTrader: (16)

M3 saloon or M4 coupe??

Think it would have to be the M4 for me!!
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...cial-pictures/

chrispy200+

iTrader: (2)

So is it just a played with engine from a 335? Or the new 135 with a twin scroll turbo.
Pity they have lost the big nasp engines in favour of emissions

tony de wonderful

The e46 M3 had a nasp 6 with a displacement of only 0.2 litre greater than the new turboed M3. This isn't that significant for fuel economy potential.

I know what you mean, that FI allows to run a smaller displacement motor and still get big displacement power. It IS related to the power arms race in a sense, and yes when you start putting 6.3 litre V8's in cars they really do benefit from AWD. But I question the point of it all. I would really liked to have seen BMW keep a nasp engine and make it rev to like 10 grand or something to get as much power as possible, but then that costs a lot to do.

Matteeboy

The most exciting thing about these is the big weight saving; the last two M3s have been incredibly heavy!
And a good dollop of torque will be a boon too.
Powerful NA engines are just too thirsty; I suspect none will exist within five years.

Regarding AWD; I have no interest in it in a BM or Merc.

Mud dog

Car is unreal I would love one sat in my drive, and who ever said 4 wheel drive was boring on a subaru site lmao at you mate.